(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Early bird savings are available for participants registering by June 5 for the 17th Annual Delaware River Sojourn taking place June 18-25, 2011.

The Delaware Sojourn, one of the oldest river sojourns in the nation, combines the experiences of guided paddling excursions with interpretive programs, camping, and camaraderie. Participants may sign up for the entire eight-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. This year's theme of River of Life will focus programming on the river’s ecology and the vast variety of life that the river sustains.

In 2011, the Delaware has the distinction of being Pennsylvania’s River of the Year. This title has been bestowed on a Commonwealth river annually since 1983 and helps raise awareness about the importance of rivers, their conservation needs, and their recreational and economic impact on watershed communities. Sojourn programming will also highlight this honorary designation and will include recognition of individuals and organizations that are working to protect the river for future generations.

Close to 75 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled in 2011, split into daily trips ranging from nine to fourteen miles. Additionally, this year’s Sojourn will include a ten-mile paddle on the Lackawaxen River, a tributary to the Delaware River and also Pennsylvania’s River of the Year in 2010.

In brief, the Sojourn will include the following stretches:Saturday, June 18: NEWE Kellams Bridge Campsite (Pa.) to Callicoon (Pa.)Sunday, June 19: Buckingham (Pa.) to NEWE Kellams Bridge Campsite (Pa.)Monday, June 20: Lackawaxen River – River Bend Access to Minisink Ford (N.Y.) on the Delaware RiverTuesday, June 21: Bushkill Access (Pa.) to Worthington State Forest (N.J.)Wednesday, June 22: Worthington State Forest to Driftstone on the Delaware Campground (Pa.) Thursday, June 23: Firemans Eddy/Belle Mountain Access (just south of Lambertville, N.J.) to Yardley (Pa.)Friday, June 24: Yardley to Bordentown (N.J.) Saturday, June 25: Bordentown to Bristol (Pa.)

The cost for Sojourners who register by June 5 is $80 per day for participants 16 and older and $60 per day for ages 15 and under. There is a one-time insurance fee of $5 per person for this event sanctioned by the American Canoe Association (ACA), except for current ACA members. Further discount opportunities may be available for first-time adult paddlers on the Delaware River Sojourn. Add $10 to the rates for registrations made after June 5.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, single or tandem kayak rental (with paddle and PFD), shuttle transportation, educational programs, meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. Please note that rentals will be rafts for Monday, June 20 on the Lackawaxen River. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that aluminum canoes are not recommended.

Space is limited, so please register early! Additional information, including registration details, itinerary overview, event guidelines, photos, and more, is available on the sojourn web site www.delawareriversojourn.org. We are again offering the ability to register online using Paypal. Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Dejay Branch at (646) 205-2724 or info@riversojourn.com.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers, all of whom work and/or live within the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is co-chaired by a volunteer with the National Park Service’s Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and a representative from the Delaware River Basin Commission.